Located in Williamstown, Ky., the Ark Encounter, a 510-foot long wooden boat, is designed to be a family-oriented, historically authentic and environmentally friendly attraction. Created by Answers in Genesis (AiG), a Christian ministry, the Ark Encounter opens in July, 2016, and will bring to life the depictions of the historical events of Noah’s Ark.
The Ark Encounter, a $91.5 million project, is phase one of an entire religious theme park. Additional phases to be completed on the 800-acre site include a pre-flood city, a petting zoo and a walk-through aviary. The Creation Museum, an AiG museum located 40 miles from the Ark, was the first job Applied Mechanical Systems, the mechanical contractor for the Ark, did for AiG.
“They liked our work,” said Brian Hogue, plumbing foreman for Applied Mechanical Systems (AMS). “Our mechanical engineers went to Troyer Group, who is constructing the Ark Encounter, about four years ago and helped their engineering firm with code issues and three years later, when they were ready to start construction, they gave us the job.”
Troyer Group specified the use of Viega ProPress for copper for all the potable water lines, in sizes ranging from ½" to 4", and Viega MegaPressG for the natural gas lines, ranging from ½" to 2".
Ronald Troyer, Senior Vice President of Troyer Group, has included Viega products in various projects. He and Hogue emphasized that the flameless technology and ease of use were the motivating factors for specifying Viega.
Flameless install at largest timber-frame structure
“The no-heat and no-flame installation of plumbing piping was a definite plus,” said Troyer. “As with most projects of this scale, meeting a tight construction schedule was also a great fit for Viega products. The ease of installation which equated to cost savings with copper pipe was also a plus.”
Hogue agreed and expressed his appreciation for the overall quality of the Viega products and the difference it made on this project.
“Seeing how this is the largest timber frame wood structure in the world, they did not want open flame in the Ark,” Hogue said. “In my opinion, Viega MegaPress and Viega ProPress fittings are built well. There are a lot fewer leaks than other press manufacturers’ fittings. Plus, you save more time, making them cost effective.”
AMS has been installing Viega system solutions in applications where soldering would be prohibitive, and the time saved gives them the opportunity to stay ahead of the game on many jobs.
“It’s great for shut downs in factories where you don’t have time to worry about draining the system,” Hogue said. “In our Dayton offices, we use it a lot in hospitals, since it is a clean process of joining pipe. I highly recommend Viega systems.”
For more information, visit www.viega.us.
Related Stories
| Mar 19, 2014
Green Building Initiative Invited to White House Rural Council Event to Support Growth of Green Building, Jobs, and Rural Communities
Green Building Initiative (GBI) Vice President for National Affairs Erin Schaffer is participated in an event at the U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters on Tuesday, March 18th, designed to highlight the Obama Administration’s commitment to promoting building construction projects that use green materials, while also supporting jobs in rural communities.
| Sep 9, 2013
BUILDINGChicago eShow Daily – Day 1 coverage
The first annual BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland conference and expo kicked off this morning at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza. The BD+C editorial team is here en masse to bring you this real-time report from the show. Here’s is our recap of the education sessions from Day 1.
| Jun 19, 2013
Florida is latest battleground over LEED standards centered on certified wood
A nationwide battle over forest certification standards continues to be played out nationally and in Florida with legislation passed this month.
| Jun 4, 2013
SOM research project examines viability of timber-framed skyscraper
In a report released today, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill discussed the results of the Timber Tower Research Project: an examination of whether a viable 400-ft, 42-story building could be created with timber framing. The structural type could reduce the carbon footprint of tall buildings by up to 75%.
| Apr 30, 2013
First look: North America's tallest wooden building
The Wood Innovation Design Center (WIDC), Prince George, British Columbia, will exhibit wood as a sustainable building material widely availablearound the globe, and aims to improve the local lumber economy while standing as a testament to new construction possibilities.
| Apr 24, 2013
North Carolina bill would ban green rating systems that put state lumber industry at disadvantage
North Carolina lawmakers have introduced state legislation that would restrict the use of national green building rating programs, including LEED, on public projects.
| Feb 28, 2013
Lend Lease builds world's tallest timber apartment building
Construction giant Lend Lease recently put the finishing touches on Forté, a 10-story apartment complex in Melbourne, Australia's Victoria Harbour that was built entirely with cross laminated timber (CTL) technology.
| Feb 26, 2013
Southern Pine Inspection Bureau publishes new design values effective June 1
New design values for all sizes and grades of visually graded Southern Pine dimension lumber were published in the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau’s (SPIB) Supplement No.13 to the 2002 Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber on Feb. 11.
| Feb 26, 2013
ANSI standard for interior doors open for second public ballot
WDMA I.S.6A-11, Industry Standard for Interior Architectural Wood Stile and Rail Doors and WDMA I.S.1A-11, Industry Standard for Interior Architectural Wood Flush Doors, are now open for their second ballot for recognition as American National Standards.
| Feb 22, 2013
Starbucks pilot program rolls out small, modular stores
Coffee giant Starbucks is rolling out mini-stores with maximum local flavor, as part of an international pilot program.
